Studie af bødkerlaugets fane. Farveangivelser 1930 - 1936

Curator: This piece, by Niels Larsen Stevns, created between 1930 and 1936, is called "Study of the Coopers' Guild Banner." It is a coloured-pencil drawing on paper, currently held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: It strikes me as more of a fleeting idea than a fully formed artwork. The loose lines and scribbled colour notations create this airy, ephemeral quality. What do you think? Curator: Absolutely. These kinds of preparatory drawings allow us a glimpse into Stevns' process as he considers the history and imagery of the Coopers' Guild. Consider how Guild banners in general operated, as symbols of identity and solidarity among workers, but also as markers of public presence in civic rituals. Editor: Right, the banner itself is such a potent image of community. It evokes a long tradition, doesn’t it? What I find fascinating is that the core imagery of the barrel would've carried a profound emotional weight, tied to the craft, livelihoods, and heritage of its members. Curator: It's interesting to consider the choice of Stenv to not execute a detailed rendering. This sketch privileges capturing symbolic elements over accurate representation. See, for instance, how the drawing focuses on the barrel, emphasizing its iconic presence as opposed to depicting every construction detail perfectly. Editor: A key symbol elevated above mere depiction. This makes you wonder what narrative it originally served. I see the inscription '1861', which may relate to an event for that specific year within the Guild’s life or perhaps some internal regulation or milestone. That in itself becomes its own kind of message. Curator: Indeed, these kinds of preliminary studies really draw out attention toward uncovering history. The drawing becomes an artifact, with its medium coloured pencil and all adding to its layered narrative about Guild identity and history. Editor: It also has an incredibly dynamic feel that almost conveys how important the banner must have been. A very powerful image, especially once its deeper context is revealed.